In recognition of his great contributions to abdominal radiology and his insightful publications on the history of science and medicine, Prof. Morton A. Meyers from East Setauket, NY, United States, was invited to deliver the Samuil A. Reinberg Honorary Lecture entitled, ‘The Tempestuous Genesis of MRI: Credit and Discredit’ at ECR 2014.

Prof. Morton A. Meyers from East Setauket, NY, United States.

Prof. Morton A. Meyers is distinguished professor of radiology and medicine, as well as chairman emeritus of the department of radiology at the State University of New York at Stony Brook (SUNY). He is author of the critically acclaimed books; Prize Fight: The Race and Rivalry to be the First in Science and Happy Accidents: Serendipity in Modern Medical Breakthroughs.

His book, Happy Accidents, won the prestigious CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title award in 2009 for excellence in scholarship and presentation, significance of contribution to the field and value as an important treatment of the subject.

In addition to teaching at SUNY, Prof. Meyers has served as visiting professor at more than 70 medical schools around the United States. He has also been in great demand as a lecturer, having received invitations to lecture in Japan, South Africa, China, Israel, Canada, Mexico and throughout Europe, to name but a few places. He has also received a number of awards from national and international societies, as well as the Walter B. Cannon Medal of the Society of Abdominal Radiology. Notably, he delivered the Opening Lecture at ECR 2003, since which he is proud to serve as an Honorary Member of the ESR.

For the fourth year in a row, the European Society of Radiology (ESR) and the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) will hold a joint course on a hot topic in radiology. After oncologic imaging for the past three years, emergency radiology will be under the scope of North American and European radiologists, who will share and compare their experiences in the dedicated Mini Course today at the ECR*.

MDCT is the best modality for identifying lesions as subtle as active mesentric bleeding and infiltration(arrow) caused by blunt abdominal injury (lap-belt compression). (Provided by András Palkó)

Medical emergencies and trauma are responsible for high levels of morbidity and mortality in all age groups worldwide, and trauma is the leading cause of death in people younger than 45. Consequently, the use of imaging in emergency departments has been increasing exponentially since the 1990s. The demand for CT examinations from emergency departments is, for instance, growing annually by 5% to 15%, depending on the institution.

Even with all the advanced tools imaging has to offer, trauma remains a challenge for most emergency services, according to Ulrich Linsenmaier, associate professor of radiology and head of the department of diagnostic and interventional radiology at KMPP Clinics in Munich, Germany. “Even for advanced level 3 medical centres running their own emergency radiology unit, it is a challenge to integrate advanced radiology services into an interdisciplinary team treating patients with acute traumatic and non-traumatic emergencies,” he said.